Below you will find a list of the questions I get asked on a regular basis.
Absolutely! LED lighting installation is energy-efficient, cost-effective, and long-lasting, making it a smart choice for both residential and commercial properties.
Yes, we provide fast and reliable emergency electrical repairs to minimise downtime and restore normalcy in your home or business. We offer same-day services if available.
This is the primary area where PAT testing is crucial. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, employers have a legal duty to ensure safety and welfare at work, maintain electrical equipment that could cause injury, and carry out risk assessments.
- Employers / Business owners
- Landlords
- Event organisers/venue managers
- Self-employed individuals
Yes, it is the responsibility of employers to provide a safe working environment, and this includes PAT testing under health and safety regulations.
New equipment is usually supplied in good working condition and won't require PAT Testing, but visually inspecting it yourself would be recommended.
PAT Testing frequency depends on several factors, including:
Type of appliance: Class I (earthed), Class II (double insulated), Class III (low voltage)
Environment: Places where equipment is subjected to harsh conditions, frequent movement, dirt, moisture, or abuse will need much more frequent testing.
Frequency of use: An appliance used daily will experience more wear and tear than one used once a month. High-use items should be tested more often.
If your fuse box keeps tripping, it's likely due to a faulty appliance or a wiring problem. It's best to have an electrician inspect your wiring to inspect the circuit and test your appliances.
In Birmingham, the cost of replacing a fuse box typically starts at £650, depending on the size of the property and any additional electrical work required. This includes the cost of the new unit, labour, and safety checks
Yes, a fusebox change is notifiable under UK building regulations. The work must be reported to your local building authority or carried out by an electrician registered under a Competent Person Scheme like NICEIC, which will handle the notification for you.
Fusebox typically last around 20 to 30 years. However, if your fusebox is outdated, lacks RCD protection, or struggles with modern electrical demands, it’s wise to consider a fusebox replacement sooner.
On average, a fusebox replacement takes around 3 to 5 hours, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the electrical system. This includes testing to ensure everything is safe and compliant with current standards.
Yes, a fusebox replacement is a complex and potentially dangerous task that must be done by a certified electrician. In Birmingham, the work must comply with UK regulations, and you'll need an installation certificate to ensure it's done safely and legally.
Upon completion of installation, you will receive a commissioning certificate and detailed documentation confirming that the system has been installed in accordance with BS 5266-1 and all relevant regulations. For ongoing maintenance, you will receive service reports and certificates detailing all tests performed.
Absolutely, and it's a legal obligation. Our electricians run annual or monthly tests for commercial properties that require emergency lighting.
Monthly functional tests: A brief test to ensure the lights illuminate when the main power is cut.
Annual full-duration test: The system must be tested for its full rated duration to confirm battery integrity and performance.
Following a site survey and fire risk assessment carried out by a fire risk assessor, we can design a system tailored to your premises, specifying the type, placement, and illumination levels of each fitting. Installation involves hardwiring units to the mains supply, configuring the system, and ensuring all components are correctly integrated. Once installed, we carry out comprehensive commissioning tests to verify the system's full functionality.
Yes, fire alarm call points are perhaps one of the most important systems for commercial buildings or flats/apartments where many occupants live. Every call point installed should have a relevant fire alarm sign to notify people on how to raise the alarm in the case of a fire.
For battery-powered smoke detectors, no electrician is typically required. These units are self-contained and don't involve any electrical wiring, making them straightforward for a homeowner or a handyperson to install.
However, if you opt for a mains-powered fire alarm system, the expertise of a qualified electrician is essential. These alarms are hardwired directly into your home's electrical supply, ensuring a constant power source with a battery backup for outages.
While putting up battery-operated smoke alarms at home is simple enough, commercial premises are a completely different story. Even if you have the technical know-how, it's generally not recommended to self-install a commercial fire alarm system. These systems are often complex, with diverse designs, and they absolutely must be fail-safe.
Most importantly, to meet legal and safety requirements, your fire alarm system must strictly comply with British Standards, specifically BS 5839-1. This standard provides detailed guidelines for every stage of a fire alarm system's life, from its design and installation to commissioning and ongoing maintenance.
For most standard homes, smoke alarms are recommended on each floor, specifically in hallways and on landings. It's also wise to place them in other rooms where a fire might start, except for kitchens. In kitchens, cooking fumes can trigger smoke alarms; instead, a heat alarm is a better choice as it detects sudden temperature increases from a fire. While this setup is usually sufficient for most homes, larger or luxury properties might benefit from a full fire alarm system for enhanced peace of mind.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is strongly recommended for landlords and property owners to ensure compliance with safety regulations and minimise fire risks.
Simply get in touch with our domestic electricians, and we will arrange a free survey and provide you with a detailed quote.
Yes, we specialise in upgrading to LED lighting and installing movement sensors to help you save on energy costs, plus EV charger installations to help keep your motoring cost down.
We offer same-day services to address urgent electrical issues promptly if we have the availability.
Yes, we are accredited by NICEIC, which ensures that our work meets industry standards for safety and quality. We are also IPAF-licensed, so we have access to high-level equipment to repair or install electrical services in hard-to-reach areas.